Botswana pulls out of 2028 AFCON bid with Zimbabwe, South Africa

_Botswana government says hosting tournament lower down on list of priorities_

HARARE – Botswana has withdrawn from the joint bid with Zimbabwe and South Africa to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), it was reported on Tuesday.

The decision leaves Zimbabwe and South Africa to continue with their joint proposal to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Botswana pulled out after the government declined to provide the financial guarantee required for the bid, citing financial constraints and saying hosting the tournament was not among its current priorities, the Mmegi newspaper reported.

Botswana subsequently failed to submit the required bidding documents by the September 14 deadline, while Zimbabwe and South Africa proceeded with their submission.

The original three-country bid proposed staging some of the matches in Gaborone and Francistown. Francistown’s existing stadium infrastructure was to be used while renovation work was to be carried out at the National Stadium in Gaborone.

The Botswana Football Association had previously argued that the financial guarantee was not required at the initial stage of the bidding process. However, the government’s decision effectively ended Botswana’s participation in the joint bid.

Botswana had also expressed interest in hosting the 2027 AFCON, but CAF awarded the tournament to the joint bid by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Zimbabwe and South Africa will now continue with their joint proposal for the 2028 tournament.

CAF is expected to determine the host after considering the bids submitted by the interested countries and joint bids.